WD97: Word Can't Open Data Source If String Too Long

 Last reviewed: July 31, 1997
Article ID: Q157615
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Word 97 for Windows

SYMPTOMS

When you use MSQuery to generate a data source for a Word mail merge, you get the following error message: 

   Word was unable to open the data source.

CAUSE

Your query string exceeded 255 characters.

RESOLUTION

To work around this problem, use either of the following methods:

  • Shorten the Search String: For example, shorten the path to the data source, shorten the file name, or select fewer columns of data when you define your query.

    -or-

  • Connect to the data source using dynamic data exchange(DDE) instead of MSQuery.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Word 97 for Windows. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

KBCategory: kbinterop kbmerge
KBSubcategory:
Additional query words: 8.0 word8 word97 print merge ms
Keywords : kbualink97
Version : 97
Platform : WINDOWS

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Last reviewed: July 31, 1997
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